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Man jailed for 24 sexual offences against children via Snapchat

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Michael Farney, 51, was sentenced to nine years and four months for 24 sexual offences against children using Snapchat.

Michael Farney, 51, of Michael Crescent in Malvern, was sentenced on Thursday at Worcester Crown Court to nine years and four months after pleading guilty to all 24 charges.

Police said Farney used Snapchat to share indecent images and videos of himself with young girls, then convinced them to carry out sexual acts. He would record these interactions on the platform to watch later. His youngest victim was six years old. Officers from West Mercia Police's Online Child Sexual Exploitation Team became aware of him in March 2026 after his account was linked to online communications with a 14-year-old. He was rearrested in April, when checks of his phone uncovered hundreds of online conversations and video calls with young girls.

Police found 40 indecent images of children on his phone, including six category A images, the most serious classification. Farney was sentenced for each offence separately, with individual sentences ranging from two years to nine years and four months, all to run concurrently.

He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and is subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, preventing him from working with children. His devices will be seized and he must pay a £228 surcharge.

Man jailed for 24 sexual offences against children via Snapchat
Image: Malvern Gazette

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In this story: Michael Farney · Malvern · West Mercia Police · Worcester Crown Court

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